Twelve of the UK’s best match racing teams will face off this weekend at the RYA National Match Racing Series Grand Final, starting today at Queen Mary Sailing Club.

The best of the best following the 2016 qualifying series will race for the coveted Eacott Trophy and the chance to have their names etched alongside the most recent winner and six-time world match champion Ian Williams’ at the conclusion of the three-day finale.

Usually more focussed on dinghies fleet racing tactics, Laser Radial World Champion and double Olympian Alison Young will turn her hand to J80 one-on-one racing, skippering with a predominantly British Sailing Team crew, Michael Beckett, Lorenzo Chiavarini and James Bishop, having earned their berth through last month’s qualifier at QMSC.

Former RYA Youth Match Racing Champion Mark Lees, who finished runner up to Williams last year, will be aiming to get his hands on the senior trophy for the first time.

Rio 49er Olympian, Alain Sign, racing as part of Rook’s crew, said he was looking forward to the event.

“I haven’t done all that much match racing before, but I’m really looking forward to getting on the water and learning lots of new stuff. It should be a fun weekend but pretty competitive I’m sure!”